Post-herpetic neuralgia resources for patients/public

Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of shingles. It causes continuing pain, after the rash from shingles has healed. The pain is caused by scarring of nervous system tissue in the spinal cord. It may be burning, stabbing, or throbbing, and it may affect more areas than the original shingles pain. PHN is more likely in older people and can be a serious debilitating condition. It is much less likely in people who receive prompt antiviral treatment for outbreaks of shingles.